Senior Director of Software Engineering - US Based Remote Opportunity

About the position

Common App is a national not-for-profit organization dedicated to the pursuit of access, equity, and integrity in the college admission process. Each year we support more than 1 million students, one-third of whom are first-generation, as they apply to our more than 1000 diverse member colleges & universities using the Common App's free online application. We are currently searching for a Sr. Director of Software Engineering who will oversee the software delivery practice, providing leadership and direction to software engineering teams to ensure the successful execution of technology projects and strategic initiatives critical to Common App. This role is mission-driven and requires a passion for solving challenges in postsecondary education.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the software delivery practice and provide leadership to software engineering teams.
• Guide a team of Directors and lead the adoption of robust engineering practices.
• Partner with product strategy, constituent engagement, technical services, and other areas to define and develop software and technical solutions.
• Ensure the successful execution of technology projects and strategic initiatives.

Requirements

• Candidates must live in the United States.
• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 10+ years of software engineering experience.
• 8+ years of leadership experience in managing large engineering teams and delivering enterprise-scale projects.
• Experience with budget management and strategic planning within a technology department.
• Exceptional leadership skills to set direction and enable strong collaboration across functional areas.
• Strong organizational and management skills, preferably in a collaborative, team environment.
• Proven experience in managing large-scale software development projects, particularly in cloud environments such as AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud Platform.
• Expertise in software engineering best practices, including microservices, containerization (Docker, Kubernetes), and API-driven development.
• Proven experience with DevOps practices and site reliability engineering principles to ensure system scalability and reliability.
• Demonstrated experience leading teams through digital transformation initiatives, particularly with legacy system modernization efforts.
• Exceptional background in Agile methodologies and continuous delivery practices.
• Advanced interpersonal, problem-solving, and communication skills, with a focus on team collaboration and influencing stakeholders.

Nice-to-haves

• Master's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field.
• Previous experience in higher education, education technology or college admissions and enrollment.
• A passion for higher education is a plus.

Benefits

• Work-Life balance
• Virtual-first office
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Seven company-wide holidays
• Nine floating holidays
• Sick leave
• Monthly mental health day
• Virtual-first support
• Choice of PC or MAC laptop
• One-time office set-up stipend
• Monthly remote work stipend
• Monthly mobile stipend
• Market-based salaries
• Performance-based bonus
• 403(b) retirement plan with 5% company contribution and additional 5% company match
• Health & wellness benefits including choice of two health insurance plans, vision insurance, and dental insurance
• Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account
• Maven virtual clinic for women's and family health
• Company provided life and AD&D insurance
• Short and long-term disability insurance
• Budgeted annual funds for professional development
• Growth opportunities within the company
• Mutual of Omaha Employee Assistance Program
• Payroll dedication pet insurance through PinPaws
• 1Password family account